Phonograph tone arm



Sept 23, 1924.

R. B. DALEY PHONOGRAPH TONE ARM Filed June 5, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

Spt. R. B. DAL-EV PHONOGRAPH TONE ARM Filed June 5, 1922 2 Sheena-Sheet. 2

Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

-.srarss sear rain ROLAND B. BAILEY, OF CHICAGQ, ILLINQIS.

I rnonoenern TONE v Application filed fiune 5, i

fwliom*itrmy/ amaze/ ii i Bel t'lmoii'n1tli2itI,Tt0LAND B. Danny, a citizen of the =-United States, and resident of Chicago, in'the county of Cook and State Qf. Il-]inois, have invented certain new and useful zln piioveinents in. Phonograph Tone Ar1ns, of which the following isa full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecitication.

vThis inventionrelates to phonograph apparatus, and particularly to the tone arm and the sound exit stem from the reproducer, andv the manner of joining it to the tone arm. I V

The object of the invention is to provide a Simplified type of universal tone arm for playing-the different types of records with the needle and reproducer in the correct position in each case, and also to provide a sound passage through the reproducer exit stem and tone arm from which will be eliminated, so far as possible, all abrupt turns. i One of thefeatu'res of the present inven t-ion is the provisionof a tone arm which consists of two telescopically and rotatably connected parts, one of which connects directly with the reproducer exit, thereby eliminating the usual connecting tube.

Another. feature of the invention resides in the. arrangement ofthe sound exit stem so that the axis of the sound exit channel of the reproducer extends at a relatively sharp acute angle to the plane of the re-V producer diaphragm. I

Another feature resides in the construc tion which permits theplacing of the re producer needle at substantially the same angle to the record whether it is being used with a lateral cut record. or a hill and dale record, and in which, in both instances, the point of the needle is at substantially the same distance from the axis of rotation of the tone arm elbow.

Another feature resides in theiarrange ment wh1ch, 1n add tionto the features, above set forth, provides that when the reproducer. is arranged to playlateral cut.

' records, the plane ofthc diaphragm intersectsthe tone arm elbow at substantially its axis of rotation, and when arrangedfor use with hilland dale type records, the plane passing through theaxis of the needle socket at right angles to the diaphragm intersects 1922. Serial No. {565,949.

the tone arm elbow at suimtaritiallyIitsaxis of rotation. 1 t

Uther features and advantages will appear from time to time as the description of the inventionprogresses;

Referring now to the drawings which show the preferred embodiments of applicants invention, '1

Figure l is a plan view of the tone arm partly in section, and the reproduccr in a position to play lateral cut records;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the arrange ment of Figure l.

I n both Figures 1 and 2, the reproducer is shown in its needle changing position in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and but showing the reproducer in a position for playing hill and dale records;

Figure at is a side elevation of the device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a oftone arm; 7

Figure 6 is a sideelevation of the tone arm of Figure 5;

F igure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 5, and V Figure '8 is a section on the line 8'8 of Figure 5.

It is thought that this invention will be best understood by a detailed description thereof taken in connection with the drawings Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters in the several views indicate like parts, at is shown thevertically extending. portion of the tone arm elbow which has integral therewith the laterally extending portion 21. The portion 21 is provided with the internal annular recess 22 within which is received the reduced end portion 23 of the tone arm extension member 24:. The connection between the parts 21 and 23 is such that the tone arin extension 24 may be readily rotated with respect to the tone arm elbow member 21. Any desired or appropriate means may be provided for limiting the rotary movement of the part 23 within the recess 22, and for providing a substantially constant frictional engagement between the two parts. Suitable means for this purpose will be subsequently described in connection with the modification shown in Figures and. (3.

plan view of a modified form V stantially The tone arm extension 2st terminates at one end in a portion 25, the axis of which extends at an oblique angle to the axis of the member 24. The reproducer shell 26 has an exit stem 27 provided with a reduced portion 28 telescopically received within the angularly extending portion 25 01": the tone arm extension. It will be noted that the axis 01": the sound exit channel 29, and also the axis of the stem 27, is arranged at an acute angle to the plane of the reproducer diaphragm. This angle is preferably sub- This invention does not relate to the diaphragm, needle support, or any of the moving parts associated with the reproducer shell. Any desired or approved type of this mechanism maybe employed.

The exit stem 27 is rotatable with regard 'to the tone arm extension, and any suitable or desired means may be provided to limit the relative rotation of these parts, one to the other, or to provide constant frictional engagement between the two. Suitable means for this purpose will be subsequently described.

In Figures 1 and 2, the reproducer is shown in solidlines in a position for playrecord .32;

mg lateral cut records. In this position, it will be notedthat the plane of the diaphragm passes through the axis of rotation of the vertically extending portion 20 of the tone arm elbow. It will also be noted by j reference to Figure 2, that the needle socket 80 and-needle 31 are arranged at an angle of approximately to the surface of the It is desirable to have the axis of the reproducerexit channel substantially intersect the axis of the diaphragm and the axis of the needle and needle socketq In other words, the axis of the exit channel, the axis of the needle socket and the axis of the diaphragm should all pass substantially through a common point.

It will be seen by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, that the axis of the tone exit channel 29 passes through the plane of the diaphragm at substantially the point where the stylus bar 33 is attached to the diaphragm 34:. 1 It will also be noted from an inspection 7 of Figure 1 of the drawings, that the vertical. plane passing through the axis of the exit channel 29 passes much nearer to the needle point than would be the case if the exit channel extended at an angle of substantially to the plane of the diaplnagm. Thus the turning movement of the force exerted on the needle point by the record Will be'less, and the danger of displacement of the reproducer and chattering thereof is materially reduced.

The needle changing position of the repro ducer and needle is shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. The reproducer is placed in needle changing position by rotating the stem 27 with relation to the tone arm extension 2-1. It will be noted that When the reproducer is in needle changing position,

it lies atran angle of substantially 90 regard to its playing position. Also, it will be noted that-the needle,'when the reproducer is in changing position, lies immediately over the position it occupies when in playing position. ing position, the needle will point upwardly and outwardly, thus makingit exceedingly convenient to change'the needle.

. The reproducer is shown in a position to play hill and dale records in F1gures'3 and 4:. The change from the position oflFigures 1 and 2 to that 0t Figures 3 and 4: s ac'complished by first rotating the reproducer to the needle changing position, as above described, and then rotating the extension arm 24 substantially 180 in relation to the tone arm elbow. The character of the sound passage through the tone arm is in no wise altered by the change ot the reproducer from a position to play lateral cut records to a position to play hill and dale records.

In applicants device, onlyone movement, in addition to moving the reproducer to needle changing position, is necessary in changing the reproducer trom'aposition to play lateral cut records to a position'to play hill and dalerecords, or vice 'versa. In; any instance, itis necessaryjto move the reproducer to needle changin positionin order to change the needle; 'ldaving moved the reproducer to needle changing position, but

with

When in needle chang one movement -isnecessary, a rotary movement of the tone arm extension, in orderto the record as when used Linplaying lateral cut records, namely, substantially 55 and is positioned the same distance from the axis of rotation of the tone arm elbow. Also, it will'be noted from Figure '3 that a plane at right angles to the diaphragm and passing in a position to play As a matter o:t;

through the needle socket'intersects' the ,axis

ofrotation of the tone arnr'elbow. This feature of having'the plane of "the diaphragmpassthrough the axis of rotation of the tone arm when arranged to play lateral out records, and of being so'positioned, when arranged toplay hill and dale records, that a plane at right angles to tli'e 'tliaphragm through the needle socket passes through the axis of rotation sirable.

It is also exceedingly desirable that the needle should be positioned the same dis:- tance from the axis of rotation of the tone arm elbow when playing one kind of record as when playing the other, as by this arrangement the needle may be caused to engage the record approximately along the radius of the record which extends at approximately right angles to. a line joining ofthe tone arm, is very dethe axis of rotation of the tone arm to the needle. In other words, the plane of the diaphragm of the rep-reducer in Figures 1 and 2 will be positioned substantially tangential to the record groove, and the plane at right angles to the reproducer diaphragm passing through the needle socket will be substantially tangential to the record groove when arranged as in Figures 3 and 4; Gt course, due. to the are which the needle travels 'in its movement from the outer edge of the.

record toward thecenter, this tangential I arrangementis not true for all positions but may be approximated for all positions.

The inlodilication shown in l igures 5 and. 6 is very similar to that shown inFigures 1 to the only difference being that thetone arm elbow has its laterally extending portion .35 arranged at an angle of less than 90 to the vertically extending portion 36. Also, the angularly extending portion 37 of the tone arm extension 38 is arranged at a slightly different angle to the tone arm extension than are the similar parts in Figures 1 to at. The operation and results obtained by the structure of Figures 5 and 6 is very similar to that above described. However, in changing from a position to play lateral cutrecords to a position to play hill and dale records, the toner arm extension need not be rotated through so great an angle. Itwill be recalled that the tone arm extension 2% was rotated substantially 180 in the change from av position to play lateral.

. cut records to a. position to play hill and dale records. In the arrangement of F igures 5 and 6, the tone armtextension need be rotated only about 120. The arrangement of the extension 37 and the reproducer stem 39 is also slightly difi'erent in that the'extension 37, when in a position to play lateral cut records, inclines slightly upwardly, and the reproducer stem 39 inclines slightly downwardly so that the axes of the sound passage through the part 87 and through the part 39 are coincident;

It will be understood that the extension member 38 is telescopically received by the member 35, and that the re producer stem 39 is telescopically received by the angularly extending member 37 in the same manner as ure 1.

The details of the telescopic ar angement between the parts of Figure 5 are shown in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 8, 40 indicates the reduced port-ion of the extension member 38 which is received within the end of the member 35. If desired, the portion 40 may be providedrwith a circumferential groove 41 into which projects a. screw 4-2 inserted through the member This arrangen'ient acts to prevent the tone arm extension being withdrawn troin the elbow, and also acts to limit the rotary movement of one relative to the, other. In orderthat the frictional engagement of these parts may be maintained substantially constant and take up the weary which occurs, the member r-0 may be provided with a groove 13 within which is placed a. flat spring a l formed as the arc of a circle somewhat smaller than the, inner circumference of the menrber 35.

In Figure 7 is shown the nature of the connection between the parts 3-9 and The reduced portion 415 of the part 39. may be provided with a circumferential groove 46 into which may project a screw 47 *arried by the part 37. At 48 is indicated a bowed fiat spring positioned in a longitiulinally extending slot in the part 4-5 which acts to produce constant ;?rictional engagement of the telescoping parts. This arrangement of Figures T and 8 may advantageously be applied to the structures oiFigures 1 to at, although any other suitable means may be snl'istituted therefonv As is usual, the tone arm elbow 36 is so supported as to be rotatable about its vertical axis and also to permit. the extension 35 to move vertically to permit the needle to be placed on or removed from the record, and also to iermit the needle to maintain a] constant engagement withthe record while the record moves slightly up and down durinc; its rotary movement, is usual. The details of the supporting means for the tone arm elbow are not shown, and any of the well known supportingarrangements may be employed.

.The preferred embodiment of applicants tone arm and one modification have been described above. 'Many other modifications are possible, but these several modifications all consist merely in varying the angles between the vertically extending portion of the tone arm elbow and the forwardly exten ding. portion, changing the angle of the turn in the tone arm extension and slightly changing the angle of the axis of the tone exi channel to the diaphragm. Applicant contemplates other inodifications than those set forth above, and it is, therefore, to be understood thatthe invention is to be limited merely by the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

end, said extension 1. In a phonograph, a reproducer having a sound exit stem extending at an acute angle to the plane of: the diaphragm of the reproducer, a tone arm elbow, and an; extension to the elbow, one end of which communicates with and is rotatable with resubstantially on the axis of the needle socket, of a tone arm having an elbow, and anextension tube, one end 01 which is rotatably connected to said elbow, and the other end of which is rotatably, connected with said exit tube.

I In a PllOllOgl'flPl], the combination with a reproduceihaving a sound exit tube, the axis of which extends at an acute angle to the plane of the diaphragm oi the reproducer and passes through approximately the center oi the diaphragm and the axis of the needle socket, of a tone arm elbow, and an extension tube, one end of which is rotatably connected to said elbow, and the other end of which is angularly displaced and rotatably connected with said exit tube.

at. In a phonograph, the combination with a reproducer having a soundexit stem ex tending atan acute angle to the plane oi the diaphragm, of extension-having an angularly' extending having one end rotatably connected with the sound exit stem,

and having the other end rotatably con- ;nected with one arm oi sa d elbow.

'5. Ina phonograph, the combination with a reproducer having a sound exit stein extending at anlacute angle to the plan of the diaphragm, of atone varm-elbow, and an extension having one end rotatably connected with said elbow, and the other end angularly displaced and rotatably connected with the reprodncer exit stem, being arranged to be substantially parallel to the plane of the record when in playing position. I i

6. In a phonograph, the combination with a reproducer having a sound exit stein extending at an angle to the plane of the reproducer diaphragm, of a tone arm includ ing an extension tube, one end of which is angularly displaced and is so connected with the sound exit stem as to permit said reproducer to be rotated relative to said tube,

and atone arm'elbow having one arm rotatably connected to the opposite end of said a tone arm elbow, and an extension tube, the parts being so arranged and proportioned that by the combination of two movements, one a rotation of the reproducer stem relative to said extens on,

and the other a rotation of the extension relative to said elbow, the reproducer may be changed from a position where the dia: phragm of the reprodncer is perpendicular to the record and its stylus bar inclinedjat an angle to the record to'a position where both the diaphragn and the stylus bar are inclined to the :i'ccord at substantially the angle of the stylus bar in the previously described position. l

7. In a phonograph, a reproducer having a sound exit stem, a tone arm'elbow, and

a tone arm extension, sa'id'ton'e arm elxtensioii being telescopicallyand rotatably connected at one end to onearin or" said elbow,

and at the other end to SHlCIiQXIlZ- SIQIH, said parts being so arranged and proportioned that the rotatable adjustment of said repro-' duccr .with relation tosaid extension, and (it said cxtension'ivith relation to said elbow,

will change the reprodncer from a position in which. the diaphragmot'the reproducer is perpendicularto the record'and its stylus I bar inclined at an angle theretoito posi tion in which both the diaphragm and'stylus bar are inclined to the record 'at an angle substantially the same as the angle of the stylus bar to the record iii theflfirst described positionand the needle point is positioned from the axis of rotation of the tone arm firstdescribed position. a V

8. In a phonograph, illiBCOIIilJlIltltlOll with a reproduce'r, of a tone arm including an elbow which is rotatable horizontally about a vertical axis, and an extension to said tone arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to one arm of SH-ICI'ElbOW, the other endbe ing 'rotatably connected to the exit'stem of the rep-roducer, the parts being so proportioned and arranged thatrotative movement at opposite ends or the extension may shift the position of the 'reproducei from one 7 playing position to another playing position in which the plane of the reproducer lies at substantially right angles to the plane 95 a distance substantially the-same as .in the 

